Undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has confirmed he will apply for a licence to fight Mixed Martial Arts, ramping up speculation the retired boxer will fight former UFC champion Conor McGregor.

Victory ready for A-League after Cup fail

Melbourne Victory's failure to make a dent in the FFA Cup was a "kick up the backside" that ignited their preparations for the A-League, according to new recruit Rhys Williams.

Ahead of Saturday night's grand final re-match and season-opener against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium, Williams said Victory bombing out in the round of 16 in late August had jolted the powerhouse club.

Victory lost 3-0 to Adelaide United, who then won their quarter-final to advance to the final four games later this month.

"It was a little disappointing but it was probably the kick up the backside that we needed," Williams said on Thursday .

"We'd rather it happened in the FFA Cup than in the league, with all due respect to it and it was the wake-up call we needed.

Luzhniki Stadium - Friday March 23rd, 4:00 pm

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Ludogorets Arena - Friday March 23rd, 5:00 pm

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Ullevaal Stadion - Friday March 23rd, 5:00 pm

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Antalya Stadium - Friday March 23rd, 5:30 pm

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"We've rectified what went wrong and what we need to improve on and I feel like we're in a really good position now."

Victory will take on Sydney FC, who won the decider in a penalty shoot-out, without three of their stars with Mark Milligan and James Troisi away with the Socceroos while Kiwi Kosta Barbarouses is also on international duty.